Moving the Elderly

Everyone knows moving can be very stressful. Even more so if you have lived in the same house for a few decades. With so many things to consider and prepare for when moving an elderly person, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

You are not alone! The ranks of the elderly are soaring in the United States. Seniors (65+) are 44.7 million strong and make up about 14% of the U.S. population. These numbers are growing every day. This article will be able to guide your senior relocation experience and help your upcoming move go smoothly.

Safety is the most common reason that elderly people relocate. What if they were to fall and nobody was around? Whether they are moving to an assisted living facility, or in with a family member, to a an elderly individual the word “move” could feel more like an eviction from their independent life instead of a safer living situation.

Discuss their needs and wants with them. Express concern for their safety. Make it a friendly conversation rather than a debate. If not for safety, it could be for peace of mind knowing their loved one’s meals and transportation are taken care of. It could also be for socialization. Senior living facilities may offer community events, entertainers, and social exercises to aid the elderly in continuing to be socially active. Whether it’s just someone to listen to music with, or play a game of cards, it’s nice to have someone there.

Certain situations may make the move to a senior living facility a wise call such as recent accidents, finding everyday tasks increasingly difficult, and certain health conditions such as dementia or COPD (respiratory).

Many diseases such as Parkinson’s and kidney failure require round-the-clock care that most friends and family cannot realistically provide. Having a loved one move into a professional care environment significantly reduces the risk of an infection, accident, or disease related episode resulting in permanent harm or even death.

You should also form a care giving team. Whether your loved one is elderly, care giving is a family affair. The more support the better. When downsizing, try to make it as fun as possible.

Donate items to the Goodwill or Salvation Army. Parting with possessions is never fun but supporting a favorite charity makes it a little easier. Or maybe you choose to host a “moving sale” and make a little money before the big move. If you decide to split the possessions among the relatives, we can separate and ship to the various locations.

Many assisted living facilities have what is called a “family council”. These meetings are held once a month and their mission is to foster a working relationship between the facility and the families of their residents. They provide support to families through education and open communication. This provides an outlet for families of the elderly to express concerns.

An assisted living facility is not be the best option for everyone. Some elderly individuals would be better suited to move in with a family member. One out of every 4 caretakers lives with the elderly person that they are taking care of.

A professional medical home can cost, on average, $60,000 a year. An assisted living facility is about half that. Taking on the role of caretaker is a big responsibility so be realistic on what you can, and can’t, do. Consider your schedule and abilities before you make that commitment. .

When moving an elderly person into your home you should consider whether or not your home is the best environment for them. Hardwood floors, tiled bathrooms, and upstairs bathrooms all pose a significant problem for physically challenged individuals.

Moving the Elderly Conclusion

Moving companies offer a great service and take a huge amount of stress out of the situation. A good moving company will have many services to choose from.

Quality moving companies can provide you with sorting, packing, moving, storage, vehicle shipping. Think how much easier the move will go when there is no heavy lifting and their professional work is efficient and damage free.

We, at Olympic Moving and Storage, are committed to our customers and we promise to deliver quality service, fair pricing, and the proper respect to everyone involved. We are a full service moving and storage company. Give us a call or fill out our simple online form to get a free quote for your upcoming move!

Do you have any tips on moving the elderly or disabled? Let us know how you did it in the comments!

4 Responses to “How to Best Move the Elderly and Disabled”

queen

Elijah @ Olympic Moving & Storage

Thanks, Queen! Glad we could help. We’ve been in the moving business a long time. We know it can be challenging. So if we can share some knowledge that makes people’s lives a little easier that is a win-win for us!